Chapter 19: Legal Controls Over Employment (Version) Flashcards
Why do governments pass employment protection legislation?
To prevent worker exploitation, ensure fair wages, limit working hours, and provide employment rights.
What is discrimination in employment?
Choosing one person over another based on personal characteristics rather than skills and qualifications.
On what grounds is employment discrimination illegal in most countries?
Gender, race, disability, sexual preference, religion, and age.
What does the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 state?
It makes it illegal to discriminate based on gender in recruitment, selection, and promotion.
What does the Equal Pay Act 1970 enforce?
Employees doing similar work must receive equal pay regardless of gender.
How does gender discrimination show in the workplace?
Unequal pay, limited career opportunities, and bias in promotions or job advertisements.
What are businesses required to do under gender discrimination laws?
Ensure equal opportunity in job adverts, avoid gendered job titles, and provide equal pay for equal work.
What does the Race Relations Act 1976 enforce?
It makes it illegal to discriminate based on race, ethnicity, or nationality in hiring and employment practices.
What measures must businesses take to prevent racial discrimination?
Allow religious dress, consider religious holidays, and ensure fair selection tests.
What does the Equality Act 2010 define as a disability?
A physical or mental impairment that significantly affects daily activities.
What must employers do to accommodate disabled workers?
Provide accessibility features, allow medical leave, modify equipment, and adjust training programs.
What challenges do disabled workers face in employment?
Higher unemployment rates, lack of workplace accommodations, and bias in hiring.
How can businesses prevent sexual preference discrimination?
Avoid discrimination in hiring, promotions, and workplace policies, and prevent harassment.
What is age discrimination in employment?
Making employment decisions based on age rather than skills and experience.
What are examples of age discrimination in the workplace?
Denying promotions, training, or hiring opportunities based on age.
What laws protect against age discrimination?
The Human Rights Act 1993 in New Zealand.
What are the effects of workplace discrimination laws on businesses?
Prevent legal battles, improve workforce morale, and ensure fair recruitment and promotion practices.
What is the purpose of minimum wage laws?
To prevent exploitation, reduce poverty, and ensure fair wages for disadvantaged workers.
What happens if a business pays below the minimum wage?
They face penalties and must repay wage arrears at current rates.
How do minimum wage laws benefit businesses?
They increase worker motivation, reduce absenteeism, and boost consumer spending.
What are the potential downsides of minimum wage laws for businesses?
Increased wage costs, possible job losses, and incentives to replace labor with automation or outsourcing.
Unfair dismissal
When a worker is dismissed illegaly by a business
Ombudsman
Someone who deals with complaints made by ordinary people against the government, banks & insurance companies.
Minimum wage
Minimum amount per hour which most workers are entitled to be paid.
Apprenticeship
System of training new entrants, often young workers, to a trade or profession through a combination of formal education and on-the-job training.
Arrear
An obligation or liability that has not received payment by its due date.
FTSE 100
Index that measures the share prices of the top 100 companies in the UK
